Hemp-brake.



M. GATROW.

HEMP BRAKE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 22,1910. 1,037,127,, Patented Aug. 27, 1912.

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M. GATROW.

HEMP BRAKE.

, APPLICATION FILED JULY 22,1910. 1,037, 1 27., v Patented Aug. 27,1912.

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MILLARD GATROW, 0F K'E'NO, KENTUCKY.

HEMP-BRAKE.

earner.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 27, 1912.

Application filed July 22, 1910. Serial No. 573,335.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MILLARD CATROW, a citizenof the United States, residing at Keno, in the county of Pulaski andState of Kentucky, have invented new and useful Improvements inHemp-Brakes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to hemp brakes, the object of the invention beingto provide a simple and effective machine of this character whereby amaximum amount of hemp may be treated within a given time.

The invention consists of the features of construction, combination andarrangement of devices hereinafter fully described and claimed,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is aview in side elevation of a hemp breaker embodying my invention. Fig. 2is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinalsection taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a vertical transversesection taken on the line 4:-4 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a suitable supporting frameprovided on each side of its longitudinal center with sets of breakingdevices, the sets of breaking de vices being of duplicate construction,so that a description of one will suflice for both.

Each set of breaking devices comprises a plurality of spaces or chambers2, each formed of a pair of vertical side walls 3 and an inner or rearwall 4, the bottom of each space or chamber consisting of a groovedvanvil or brake block 5. The respective sets of chambers are mounted uponthe main frame and a supplemental frame 6 arranged within the main frameand are reinforced from said main frame by longitudinal bars or boards7. The boards 7 form partial front walls for the respective sets ofchambers 2, with the base portions of which latter communicate feedtroughs or inlets 8, through which the hemp is inserted from theadjacent side of the machine into the cham bers, the edges of the boards7 above the troughs being cut away for the free entrance of thematerial.

Arranged to reciprocate in each brake chamber is a brake knife or beater9 having a bifurcated lower breaking edge 10 to enter the underlyinganvil groove and to cooperate with a breaking rib 11 arranged in saidgroove, by which the hemp will be broken in an effective manner. Theknives are provided with laterally extending guide lugs 12 to travel invertical guide slots 13 formed in the side walls of the brake chambers,and the knives of each set are connected by pitman rods 1 1 with thecranks of a longitudinally extending superposed actuating shaft 15journaled in bearings at the top of the main frame. Each rod preferablyconsists of two sections adjustably connected by a turn-buckle 16,whereby the rod may be lengthened or shortened to secure an effectivebreaking action of the knife.

The rear portions of the bottoms of the two sets of chambers communicatewith inclincd chutes 17 for the discharge of the broken hemp by gravityor to a table or platform 18 arranged between and below the two sets ofbreaking devices and supported by the inner frame, from which table orplatform the broken hemp may be conveniently removed as occasionrequires.

.The actuating shafts are provided with bevel gears 19 meshing withcorresponding gears 20 011 a transverse transmission shaft 21 having oneend projecting beyond the frame and provided with a beveled gear 22meshing with a beveled drive gear 23 on a vertical driving shaft 2 1which may be driven by hand or power, as desired.

In the operation of the device, the hemp is fed from the opposite sidesof the machine into the respective brake chambers and is acted upon bythe reciprocating breaking knives, by which it is effectually broken,the broken hemp dropping through the chutes onto the table, as abovedescribed. Owing to the form of the breaking members and the powerapplied to the knives, a large amount of hemp may be readily andconveniently broken within a minimum amount of time.

Having thus described the invention, I claim A hemp breaking machinecomprising a frame, sets of breaking chambers arranged on opposite sidesof the longitudinal center of the frame, said chambers being providedwith inlets at the front thereof and inclined discharge chutes leadingfrom the rear portion of the bottoms thereof, said chamber bottoms beingprovided with stationary breaking devices located adjacent to saiddischarge chutes and having inclined surfaces leading thereto from theinlets, a receiving platform supported by the frame on a line A driveshaft, and rods connecting said knives between and below the sets ofdischarge with-thecranks of the crank shaft.

chutes, crank shafts extending' longitndinally above the respective setsof chambers, In testimony whereof I aflix my signature reciprocatingknives operating in the charm tin presence of two witnesses.

bers for coaction with said stationary break- MILLARD OATROW.

ing devices, a drive shaft arranged trans- Witnesses: versely at one endof the frame, intermesha LpRET'r BALLOW, ing beveled gears upon thecrank shafts and A. J; BEATY;

Copies of this patent may' be mama for five-ems each, by addressing flidonifiii s'sioii'ei" ofl 'atii t wa'siiinl 'wn; n1

